초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a hydraulic pressurization system, in particular for application to pressurization devices operating in accordance with the high hydrostatic pressure principle. In particular, the present invention provides a pressurization system for modifying the pressure in a pres

The present invention relates to a hydraulic pressurization system, in particular for application to pressurization devices operating in accordance with the high hydrostatic pressure principle. In particular, the present invention provides a pressurization system for modifying the pressure in a pressurization device. The system comprising a first hydraulic circuit in which one or more primary pressure accumulators are connected to the pressurization device in controlled manner in order to permit a substantially incompressible fluid to be admitted to and removed from the pressurization device at a first pressure, the primary pressure accumulators being precompressed-gas pressure accumulators.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A pressurization system for modifying the pressure in a pressurization device, the system comprising a first hydraulic circuit in which one or more primary pressure accumulators are connected to the pressurization device in a controlled manner in order to permit a subst

The invention claimed is: 1. A pressurization system for modifying the pressure in a pressurization device, the system comprising a first hydraulic circuit in which one or more primary pressure accumulators are connected to the pressurization device in a controlled manner in order to permit a substantially incompressible fluid to be admitted to, or recovered from, the pressurization device at a first pressure, and an operating and control unit which governs operation of the system, wherein the primary pressure accumulators are precompressed-gas pressure accumulators and the operating and control unit controls the operation of pumping means and the operation of valve means, based upon readings of temperature and pressure sensors of the system. 2. A pressurization system according to claim 1, the system comprising a second hydraulic circuit in which the primary pressure accumulator or accumulators are connected to the pressurization device in controlled manner by means of a pressure-multiplier means in order to admit the incompressible fluid to the device at a second pressure greater than the first pressure. 3. A pressurization system according to claim 2, the first and second hydraulic circuits being in flow communication with pumping means which draw the incompressible fluid from a reservoir and admit it to the first and second hydraulic circuits. 4. A pressurization system according to claim 3 in which the pumping means are connected to the primary pressure accumulators by means of a charging tube in which valve means with open/shut control and, downstream thereof, a non-return valve, are interposed. 5. A pressurization system according to claim 2, in which the second hydraulic circuit comprises a secondary pressurization tube which originates from the primary tube and which is connected, by indirect-pressurization valve means, to the pressure-multiplier means, the pressure-multiplier means in turn being in flow communication with a connecting duct in which a non-return valve is interposed and which is reconnected to the direct-pressurization tube downstream of the point of origin of the secondary pressurization tube. 6. A pressurization system according to claim 5 in which the pressure-multiplier means comprises a housing inside which a piston with a T-shaped cross-section is housed for sliding, the larger-diameter end of the piston defining, together with the walls of the housing, a first chamber which is filled with an incompressible fluid and into which the secondary pressurization tube opens, a second chamber which, in turn, is filled with the incompressible fluid, being defined by the smaller-diameter end of the piston and by the walls of the housing, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the connecting duct. 7. A pressurization system according to claim 5, in which the indirect-pressurization valve means comprise an inlet, a pressurization outlet in flow communication with the first chamber of the pressure-multiplier means, and a discharge outlet in flow communication with a duct provided with valve means with open/shut control, for the recirculation of the incompressible fluid to the reservoir. 8. A pressurization system according to claim 7 in which the indirect-pressurization valve means can be operated in accordance with the following operative conditions: a) completely closed, b) pressurization outlet and discharge outlet in flow communication, inlet shut, c) inlet and pressurization outlet in flow communication, discharge outlet closed. 9. A pressurization system according to claim 8, in which the tube of the first hydraulic circuit is connected to a duct for discharging to the reservoir the substantially incompressible fluid originating from the pressurization device, the discharge duct comprising discharge-valve means. 10. A pressurization system according to claim 2, the system further comprising a third hydraulic circuit comprising one or more secondary pressure accumulators which are connected to the pressure-multiplier means and to the pressurization device in controlled manner in order to reset the piston and/or to actuate the kinematic mechanism for the opening/closure of the removable closure element. 11. A pressurization system according to claim 10 in which the secondary pressure accumulators are connected, by means of an auxiliary tube comprising, in sequence, valve means and a non-return valve, to the space defined between a shoulder of the piston, formed at the junction point between the two portions of the piston with different diameters, and the thicker portion of the housing of the pressure-multiplier means. 12. A pressurization system according to claim 11, in which the valve means comprise a first outlet connected to the auxiliary tube, a second outlet in fluid communication with closure-control valve means, and a third outlet in fluid communication with pin-control valve means, the three outlets being operable independently. 13. A pressurization system according to claim 12 in which the closure-control valve means in turn comprise a first outlet in fluid communication with a thrust chamber of a housing of a closure piston and a second outlet in fluid communication with a return chamber of the housing, and in which the pin-control valve means in turn comprise a first outlet in fluid communication with the thrust chamber (139) of the housing of the pin piston and a second outlet in fluid communication with the return chamber of the housing. 14. A pressurization system according to claim 12 in which the space in the pressure-multiplier means, one or more thrust chambers, and one or more return chambers are in flow communication with respective ducts for recirculating the substantially incompressible fluid to the reservoir. 15. A pressurization system according to claim 10, in which charging-valve means are provided, disposed downstream of the pump and having a first outlet connected to the charging tube, a second outlet in fluid communication with the secondary pressure accumulators, and a third outlet in fluid communication with a duct for recirculating the substantially incompressible fluid to the reservoir, the three outlets being operable separately. 16. A pressurization system according to claim 1, in which the first hydraulic circuit comprises a direct-pressurization tube in which direct-pressurization valve means are interposed, the tube putting the primary pressure accumulators into flow communication with the pressurization device. 17. A pressurization system according to claim 1, in which the pressurization device comprises a housing which has a removable closure element and inside which is defined a pressurization chamber for housing one or more objects to be processed at high hydrostatic pressures, a piston with a T-shaped cross-section acting in the pressurization chamber, the larger-diameter end of the piston defining, together with the walls of the housing, a chamber filled with a substantially incompressible fluid, and the chamber being connected to the direct-pressurization tube for the admission of the substantially incompressible fluid to the chamber at high pressure. 18. A pressurization system according to claim 1 in which the pressure accumulators comprise pressure sensors operatively connected to the valve means which are connected to the charging tube, to the secondary pressure accumulators, and to the recirculation duct, respectively. 19. A pressurization system according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure multiplier means and wherein the primary pressure accumulators are charged to approximately 300 bar and secondary pressure accumulators are charged to approximately 150 bar, and in which the ratio between the areas of the end surfaces of the piston of the pressure-multiplier means is approximately 2. 20. A method of pressurizing objects to be processed, comprising the steps of: a) providing a pressurization system comprising a first hydraulic circuit in which one or more primary pressure accumulators are connected to a pressurization device in a controlled manner in order to permit a substantially incompressible fluid to be admitted to, or recovered from, the pressurization device at a first pressure, the primary pressure accumulators being precompressed-gas pressure accumulators, b) putting the primary pressure accumulators, which are kept at a first pressure, into flow communication with the chamber of the pressurization device, by means of the first hydraulic circuit, until equilibrium is reached, c) putting the primary pressure accumulators, which are kept at a first pressure, into flow communication with the chamber of the pressurization device, by means of the second hydraulic circuit, until the second pressure greater than the first pressure is reached, d) maintaining the second pressure in the chamber of the pressurization device for a predetermined period, or bringing about a series of partial decompressions to a third pressure between the first and second pressures and compressions to the second pressure, e) returning the pressure in the chamber of the pressurization device to the first pressure by closure of the indirect-pressurization valve means and opening of the direct-pressurization valve means so as to recover potential energy in the form of compressed gas in the primary pressure accumulators, f) returning the pressure in the chamber of the pressurization device to atmospheric pressure by discharge of the substantially incompressible fluid towards the reservoir. 21. A method according to claim 20 in which the first pressure is approximately 300 bar, the second pressure is approximately 600 bar, and the third pressure is approximately 500 bar. 22. A method according to claim 20, in which steps b) to f) are performed within a period of between 10 seconds and 20 seconds.